Acrobat Monkey - Wooden Squeeze Toy

This was a simple and fun toy to make, however, there are a few little tricks that one needs to know in order for it to work right. The first is that you need to be sure to use stout sticks for the sides. One of my students sanded some of them down too far which put too much give in them. You also need to have a sturdy dowel to hold them together. In case you don’t know, you squeeze the bottom together which pulls on the fishing line on the top thus making the monkey spin all about. Its a lot of fun and hard to set down once you get him going. The last trick is in how he is strung up. When he is hanging down the line should be crossed. Be sure to pull them tight when you tie them off. It is best to run the line while the monkey is hanging upside down.

You can of course make any creature that you wish—just use your imagination!

I also made a few of these, mine were acrobatic bears! They are fun to make and more fun watching the children play with themSomething I did that you might consider: i place a small piece of a soda straw between the hand. I cut the straw just a little wider then the thickness of the body. This allowed the bear (monkey) a little more freedom to somersault.

Great project. I am planning to make a few of these (bears) this coming week. I work for a 114 year old mountain community and the members are always looking for ways to show their young children fun things about the way it “used to be”. I’m sure these will be a hit and no batteries needed. Thanks for sharing with us.

-- Flying MLB *** A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.